BCRC Staff
Leadership
Alyssa Williams Mallow
Director of Development
Alyssa joined BCRC in May of 2023 with more than 7 years of experience in the health care non-profit sector. She brings a wealth of expertise in organizations focused on cancer research, advocacy, and resources. Throughout her career, Alyssa has worked with notable organizations such as Children’s Cancer Association, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, and JoyRX, where she was instrumental in cultivating relationships and raising funds to serve those in need.
Alyssa’s personal connection to the mission of BCRC is profound, as her mother-in-law’s breast cancer diagnosis personally sparked a real need for Spanish language resources. A proud graduate of Texas Tech University, Alyssa is a huge college football fan and loves cheering on her team – “Wreck ‘Em!” She married her husband Will in October of 2022, and together they live outside of Austin with their two fur babies, Scarlet the Bulldog and Shelton the Goldendoodle.
Annette Juba, LCSW
Program Director
Annette Gracy Juba, LCSW, a native Austinite, joined the Breast Cancer Resource Center as Program Director, in December 2022.
A clinical social worker, Annette earned her Master of Science in Social Work degree from the University of Texas and began her career providing direct services to older adults, persons living with dementia, and family caregivers. From her start in direct services, she moved into program development and non-profit leadership. She has presented about aging, social work, and memory loss at the local, state, and national level. Most recently, she served as Chief Program Officer for AGE of Central Texas, where she spearheaded the programs’ shift to remote services during the COVID pandemic. She is a past co-chair of the Aging Services Council, currently serves as Vice-Chair of the OneStar National Service Commission, and is a Field Affiliate with the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin.
Outside of work, Annette is a member of a book club that has read together for 20 years, loves traveling, plays the flute, and is, most importantly a wife, mom, and grandmother.
Sharyn Malatok, MPA
Executive Director
Sharyn joined the BCRC team in 2020 as Director of Programs where she managed the CDC federal grant initiatives. In 2021, she was promoted to Chief Program Officer with leadership of the Mission Services team which includes Patient Navigators and the CDC grant team. Sharyn supports a portfolio of program and community initiatives providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure that all are working in concert to achieve agency and community goals.
Sharyn has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 25 years, serving in several director roles. She has worked on behalf of minority students, sexually abused children, victims of domestic violence and mothers and babies. BCRC allows her to bring her nonprofit management experience to serve breast cancer survivors in Central Texas.
Sharyn received her BS in Biology from Waynesburg University and her MPA from the University of Houston. Sharyn lives with her wife and they have three sons, a daughter, and four grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading and arts and crafts. Sharyn is a huge Pittsburg Steelers fan!
Mission Services
Elaine Gonzales, CN-BA, CHW, CHWI
Community Educator
Elaine was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and reached out to BCRC for support. She joined the staff of BCRC in 2012 as a Bilingual Patient Navigator. In 2019, she transitioned to Community Educator to support the Young Breast Cancer Patients program funded through a cooperative agreement with the CDC. Elaine supports the CDC grant by coordinating public, professional, and community breast cancer related educational programs to Community Health Workers, BCRC clients, health care providers and public. She has a desire to give meaning and purpose to her breast cancer diagnosis and to support and educate the Latina population. Prior to the BCRC, Elaine was a high school math teacher and an adult GED math teacher.
Elaine received a BS in Mathematics from Texas State University. She is a certified teacher and received a Certificate for Medical Assistant. Elaine is a Certified Patient Navigator through the Harold P. Freeman Patient Navigation Institute, a Certified Community Health Worker, and Instructor through the Texas Department of State Health Services. Elaine received a CN-BA credentialing through the National Consortium of Breast Centers. She is a member of the Cancer Alliance of Texas.
Elaine is a native Austinite. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her wife, 2 daughters, 5 grandchildren and her fur babies. She also enjoys reading, riding her bike, and spending time with family.
Jessica Jones, CN-BA, CHW
Bilingual Senior Certified Patient Navigator
In 2004, Jessica walked through the doors of the BCRC and received the help she needed. It inspired her to work at the BCRC to help ensure that people with breast cancer are armed with information. Today, Jessica is a Certified Bilingual Patient Navigator with an emphasis on uninsured, underinsured, and Spanish-speaking clients. Prior to BCRC, Jessica was a NICU Nurse. She has worked for St David’s and Ascension (formerly known as Seton Family Hospitals).
Jessica received a BS in Science from Florida State University at Tallahassee. She is an Austin Community College Medical Assistant Program graduate, Certified Patient Navigator through the Harold P. Freeman Patient Navigator Institute, Project LEAD Breast Cancer Science graduate, and a Project LEAD Quality Care Graduate, Certified Medical Translator, Certified Community Health Worker, and Certified Fit Specialist for Amoena prosthetics, and received her CN-BA credentialing through the National Consortium of Breast Centers. Jessica is also a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse Navigators and the Association of Oncology Social Work
Jessica is married and has 2 adult kids. Besides visiting her children, Jessica loves to work out and to paint outdoor sceneries. She comes from a large family that live all over the world and she wishes that she could have them all in the same place and at the same time.
Laura Reutter, CN-BA, CHW
Certified Patient Navigator
In February of 2020, Laura joined the BCRC as a Patient Navigator, supporting the needs of women over 45 in Travis and Williamson counties. The full community of love that she received while going through her own treatments inspired her to want to be part of the BCRC.
Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. Knowing very little about breast cancer she found the BCRC by researching online and soon found a calming foundation in a BCRC Patient Navigator. Soon after treatment she became active within the breast cancer community as a two-year Art Bra Model then becoming part of the volunteer leadership team for Art Bra® Austin. Before working at the BCRC, Laura was a program manager, account manager, and a small business owner.
Laura has a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology, AAS Product Design, and certificate in PMP. She is also a Certified Community Health Worker through the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Laura has 2 adult daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys motorcycling, swimming, and paddling with Paddles with a Purpose, Austin’s first breast cancer specific Dragonboat team.
Mary Ellen Rogers, CN-BA, CHW
Senior Certified Patient Navigator
Mary Ellen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and reached out to BCRC for support. She is grateful for her Patient Navigator with helping throughout her treatment; so she started volunteering with outreach, client assistance and companionship. In 2018, Mary Ellen joined BCRC as a Patient Navigator.
Mary Ellen received her CN-BA credentialing through the National Consortium of Breast Centers and is a Certified Community Health Worker through the Texas Department of State Health Services. Prior to the BCRC, Mary Ellen worked in retail management and was also a sales team manager.
Mary Ellen has been married for 43 years and has 2 adult children living in the Austin area. She has one dog, Lila, and enjoys gardening and cooking during her spare time.
Melissa Ruiz, CN-BA, CHW
Senior Certified Patient Navigator
A two-time breast cancer survivor, Melissa was first diagnosed with breast cancer just four days away from her 37th birthday in 2009 and again in 2012. Her first introduction to the BCRC was with her patient navigator that visited her at the infusion room with a tote bag, a pillow, and a friendly face. Melissa attributes her successful treatments to BCRC’s support and education. Melissa joined he BCRC team in 2016 as a Certified Patient Navigator. Prior to BCRC, she worked for a dermatologist office and a local cancer center as their financial advisor.
Melissa holds a BA in Business Administration from Concordia University. She received her CN-BA credentialing through the National Consortium of Breast Centers and is a Certified Community Health Worker through the Texas Department of State Health Services.
A native Austinite, Melissia lives with her adult daughters. She enjoys swimming, bike riding, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Nell Guzman
Community Partnership Manager
Nell joined the BCRC team in October 2022 as Community Partnership Manager. She has been in the Non-Profit and Wellness field for over 20 years, working as a Volunteer Event Coordinator, Yoga Instructor and Wellness Program Manager in some of the most respected and successful Non-Profits in New York City and Hawaii. Prior to BCRC, she managed the Afghan Refugee Community Engagement Program at Refugee Services of Texas.
Nell’s accolades include her 1,234-hour Advanced Medical Massage Degree from the nationally acclaimed Florida College of Natural Health and a bachelor’s in business administration and Human Resources Management. She is a certified Yoga and Food Healing Instructor, she’s passionate about educating the community, her organization, community partners and clients, empowering them to take control of their own health and well being.
Nell and her family moved from Maui, Hawaii to Austin in 2021, she loves traveling, hiking, yoga, and spending time with her partner, her two kids and their dog. On a weekend, you might find Nell and her family paddle boarding Lady Bird Lake, swimming in the Barton Springs pool or surfing at the Waco Surf Ranch.
Patrica Alford, PhD, CHW
Patient Navigator
In February 2024, Patricia embarked on her journey with the BCRC team, taking on the role of a Patient Navigator. With a rich background as a retired public-school administrator and her current appointment to the Community Council of Addressing Cancer Together (ACT) , Patricia has dedicated her career to being a staunch advocate for community access to resources that bolster strong family units.
Raimi Fenrich
Project Specialist
Raimi joined the team at Breast Cancer Resource Center in February of 2024. She has a passion for working with populations that are experiencing health disparities or are underserved.
Raimi received her BS in Health Sciences from DePaul University and is currently working on her Master’s in Public Health at Michigan State University. Outside of work Raimi enjoys going on long walks with her dog Honey, listening to podcasts, baking, and spending time with friends exploring Austin.
Rosemary Castro
Program Specialist
We are happy to announce the addition of our newest team member, Rosemary Castro, who has joined BCRC as our Program Specialist. Rosemary was led to BCRC by a deeply personal connection when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. Rosemary’s keen understanding of the impact that access to the resources that BCRC provides could have had on the journey for her mother. Since joining our team in July, she has witnessed the incredible support and services that BCRC offers to the community, and that has further reinforced her commitment to our mission.
Her career has been marked by a dedication to nonprofit work and diverse roles supporting bilingual services and case management. These experiences have equipped Rosemary with valuable skills and insights into community engagement and support. In her free time, she finds solace in gardening, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and cherishing moments with her partner, Sean, and their dog, Chapito.
Development Team
Carlos Loya
Marketing & Communications Manager
Carlos Loya is a Digital Marketing Professional, driven by a fervent commitment to creating a positive impact. With a diverse background in both the corporate and non-profit sectors, Carlos has distinguished himself as a dynamic professional adept at deploying advanced digital strategies. His skill set extends to the development of effective marketing plans, SEO, SEM, social media campaigns, email marketing, and web development.
Beyond the conventional realms of marketing, Carlos stands out for his capacity to integrate innovative solutions that elevate fundraising endeavors. Whether implementing cutting-edge donation platforms or leveraging state-of-the-art technologies, he ensures that non-profit entities possess the requisite digital tools to thrive in the contemporary landscape.
Phyllis Rose
Strategic Alliances Manager
In 1995, Phyllis’ life was forever changed after reading about Breast Cancer Resource Center opening. Diagnosed in 1984 at age 26, she experienced first-hand what is was like to face breast cancer alone, and recognized how much easier her journey could have been with BCRC support. So she immediately became involved first as a donor, then as a volunteer and since 2008 as staff, serving in many roles including Director of Volunteers, Physician Outreach, Community Partnerships, Fundraising Consultant and now Community Engagement Manager.
Before joining the BCRC, Phyllis’ career in account management and business development, spanned various industries including advertising, commercial film production and wireless. She’s a native Texan from the Rio Grande Valley who came to Austin to attend UT, and has happily lived here ever since.
Phyllis loves spending time with her family and friends, many of whom she’s met through BCRC. She also loves to cook, create, hike and walk in nature, and adventure with friends. Gratitude for each day we are given, has been a most important lesson learned from her time with BCRC.
Staff photos by Felicia Reed Photography
